Meniscal cyst and magnetic resonance imaging in childhood and adolescence

We retrospectively reviewed 11 cases of meniscal cyst diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic from 1976 through 1990. Patient age ranged from 4 to 18 years (average 13 years). Two cases were diagnosed on clinical findings alone. Arthrograms were available in five cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in four cases. These cases illustrate the difficulty in making the diagnosis of meniscal cyst. MRI is a useful tool for diagnosing meniscal cyst and aids in surgical planning. Because of the extensive differential diagnosis of the meniscal cyst, we recommend MRI in preoperative evaluation of soft tissue masses about the knee.